Tag: Gabriela: The Musical

Gabriela The Musical Reveals Full Cast for New Take on Gabriela Silang’s Story

Gabriela Silang’s story is coming to the stage in a whole new way.

Following the announcement of Gab Pangilinan as the titular heroine, Barefoot Theatre Collaborative has revealed the complete cast and artistic team behind GABRIELA: The Musical, an original production that reimagines the life of the Ilocano revolutionary with a story built around a compelling idea: revolution begins with love.

Photo courtesy of Barefoot Theatre Collaborative | Wika Nadera

Set to run this November and December at Hyundai Hall, Areté in Quezon City, the musical brings together a powerhouse lineup of theater performers and creatives, including the team behind Bar Boys: The Musical.

Meet the Cast of GABRIELA

Leading the production alongside Pangilinan are Myke Salomon as Diego Silang and CJ Navato as Miguel Vicos.

The story’s wider world comes to life through Kerr Allen as Sebastian, Mikaela Regis as Kunyap/Gimayad, Jasper Jimenez as Tagaben, and Delphine Buencamino as Dawak. Rounding out the principal cast are Carlon Matobato as Frayle, Jon Abella as Alcalde, and Jules Dela Paz as Principalia.

Photo courtesy of Barefoot Theatre Collaborative | Wika Nadera

The production also features a large ensemble portraying the dual worlds of Mga Kailian and Mga Itneg. Joining the cast are Curp Adriano, Joshua Rico Santos, Vincent Sumo, Andre Manguba, Ace Polias, Khalil Tambio, Evan Asuela, Chesko Rodriguez, Ada Tayao, Teetin Villanueva, Mijon Anne Cortez, Denize Castillo, Ronah de la Peña, Lance Reblando, Pappel, and Joie Eborde.

For a production with an ambitious story and a large cast, the understudies and swings are equally important. Several ensemble performers will also take on these roles throughout the run.

Photo courtesy of Barefoot Theatre Collaborative | Wika Nadera

Pappel serves as Gabriela’s understudy, while Khalil Tambio understudies Diego. Curp Adriano covers Sebastian, Ronah de la Peña covers Dawak, and Lance Reblando understudies Kunyap.

Meanwhile, Chesko Rodriguez serves as the male swing for Frayle, Alcalde, and Principalia. Janji Gamboa is the male ensemble swing, while Joie Eborde takes on duties as the female ensemble swing.

The Team Behind the Musical

There’s another reason theater fans should have this one on their radar: GABRIELA: The Musical reunites the creative trio behind Bar Boys: The Musical.

Pat Valera takes on book and lyrics duties, with Myke Salomon serving as composer and musical director and Mikko Angeles directing. Together, they’re joined by a wide-ranging artistic team tasked with building the show’s world, movement, sound, costumes, sets, lighting, and visual identity.

The team includes JM Cabling as movement director, Katte Sabate as dramaturg, Julio Garcia as set and property designer, and Bonsai Cielo as costume designer.

Photo courtesy of Barefoot Theatre Collaborative | Wika Nadera

Meliton Roxas and Gabo Tolentino serve as co-lighting designers, while Arvy Dimaculangan handles sound design and Aina Ramolete brings puppetry design to the production.

Behind the scenes, D Cortezano serves as technical director, with Wika Nadera as art director and photographer. Hershee Tantiado is associate costume designer, Patrick Jusay is associate set designer and FOH designer, and Carlo Gianan serves as assistant director.

A Fresh Take on Gabriela Silang

Gabriela Silang remains one of the most recognizable figures in Philippine history, but this production isn’t simply presenting a historical figure onstage.

Photo courtesy of Barefoot Theatre Collaborative | Wika Nadera

GABRIELA: The Musical offers a new theatrical interpretation of her story, placing love and revolution at the heart of the narrative. With an original score, a large ensemble, and a creative team with experience bringing contemporary Filipino stories to the stage, the production looks to give audiences another way to connect with Gabriela’s legacy.

For theatergoers who enjoy Filipino stories told through music, movement, and a little theatrical magic, this is one production worth keeping on the calendar.

Photo courtesy of Barefoot Theatre Collaborative | Wika Nadera

Catch the Show at Hyundai Hall

GABRIELA: The Musical runs from November 13 to December 6, 2026, at Hyundai Hall, Areté, Quezon City.

Tickets are available right now through Ticket2Me, bit.ly/gabrielatatickets, and authorized Barefoot Theatre Collaborative showbuyers. Keep up with ticket links, showbuyer directories, and behind-the-scenes content by following @barefootcollab on Facebook, Instagram, X, and TikTok.

Are you planning a theater date for this run, or heading out with your usual show-hopping crew?

September 2, 2026
Gab Pangilinan is Gabriela Silang in A New Original Musical

This November, Barefoot Theatre Collaborative invites audiences to meet the first Filipina revolutionary in GABRIELA: The Musical, an epic new musical set in 18th century Ilocos.

Told through myth, magic, and mystery, the musical reintroduces Gabriela as a co-author of the revolution–present from the beginning and later tasked with holding it together as it fractures. As she reconnects with her Itneg roots, Gabriela moves between worlds becoming both battleground and bridge. At its core, the musical is a love story between people who believed that a different life was possible.

Leading the production in the titular role is acclaimed musical theatre actress GAB PANGILINAN. Known for her resonant performances and commanding stage presence, Pangilinan most recently appeared as Mary Magdalene in Jesus Christ Superstar and is widely celebrated for her performance as Roxane in Mula Sa Buwan. Her theatre credits also include Ang Huling El Bimbo, The Last Five Years, and more.

On stepping into the role, Pangilinan shares:

“It’s no secret that Gabriela Silang is a revolutionary heroine of the Philippines— the first female leader who fought against Spanish colonization. To portray this Filipina was never in my theatre actor bingo card and trust me when I say that I do not take this lightly. Isang malaking karangalan (at responsibilidad) ang gumanap bilang Gabriela Silang. Alongside the incredible company of Gabriela: The Musical, I’m looking forward to the journey we’re about to take on together. Immensely grateful for this opportunity to originate a new role and I promise to take care of her.”

For playwright Pat Valera, known for works such as Mula Sa Buwan, Bar Boys: The Musical, and Dekada ’70, GABRIELA marks his fourth original Filipino musical.

“I’ve spent more than five years researching Gabriela Silang, and the more I came to know her, the more questions arose. Why does Gabriela’s story begin only after her husband’s death? If she was such a revered general, could she have been an active part of the revolution from the beginning? Able to unite a divided people, could Gabriela have imagined the beginnings of a nation?

We explore these questions (and more) in the musical. In doing so, I believe we have shaped a nuanced and complex journey for Gabriela—a story of a woman in love, a grieving warrior, and the kind of leader we continue to yearn for today.”

Bringing this vision to the stage is director Mikko Angeles, who previously helmed Bar Boys: The Musical. He shares:

“With Pat Valera’s script and Myke Salomon’s music, bringing Gabriela Silang’s narrative to the stage means looking beyond the familiar historical figure and discovering the myth, magic, and mystery that surround her.

On the page, the scale encompasses time, reality and the cosmos. Ang dami agad elements and demands na kailangang paghandaan. Plus, iba din yung responsibilidad na kaakibat sa pangangalaga ng kultura.

Apart from tracing history, we are shaping Gabriela: The Musical as a reimagination of her love and revolution through the lens of rage and sacrifice — a woman transformed by loss, drawn toward destiny, and compelled to confront her identity.

Alam na ba namin kung paano gawin? Hindi pa — that’s what makes it an exciting challenge.”

Gabriela: The Musical begins performances on November 13, 2026 at the Hyundai Hall, Areté, Quezon City. Tickets for the opening weekend are now available at bit.ly/gabrielatickets. Ticket buyers from July 13, 2026 to August 17, 2026 will receive a complimentary souvenir program as a thank-you keepsake from the production for getting tickets early.

Additional casting and production announcements will be released soon. For more information, follow @barefootcollab on Facebook, Instagram, X, and TikTok.

July 13, 2026
Open Auditions for Barefoot Theatre Collaborative’s Upcoming Production, Gabriela: The Musical

Following the closing of the timely and thought-provoking thriller, anthropology by Lauren Gunderson, Barefoot Theatre Collaborative announces its second production for the 2026 season, Gabriela: The Musical.

Set in Ilocos 1762, Gabriela: The Musical reclaims the story of Gabriela Silang beyond the familiar narrative of grief and revenge. Told through myth, magic, and mystery the musical reintroduces her as a co-author of the revolution–present from the beginning and later tasked with holding it together as it fractures. As she reconnects with her indigenous Itneg roots, Gabriela moves between worlds becoming both battleground and bridge. At its core, the musical is a love story between people who believed that a different life was possible–and its heartbreak when the fight forces us to ask: who gets to belong to this land?

The creative team for Gabriela: The Musical reunites the same team behind Bar Boys: The Musical (2025) with book and lyrics by Pat Valera, music by Myke Salomon, and direction by Mikko Angeles.

In line with the announcement, Barefoot Theatre Collaborative is opening auditions to the public, inviting performers to be part of this original Filipino musical. Interested applicants may find more details and submit their application through bit.ly/gabrielaaudtions.

For more information, follow @barefootcollab on Facebook, Instagram, X, and TikTok.

March 31, 2026